Setworks



April 29 1924.

I 1,492,317 C. W. WILLETTE SETWORKS Filed Dec. 19. 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet l avwemtoz 3 GHHFLE5 MA MLLL'TTE A ril 29 1924. 1,492,317

} C. W. VVILLETTE SETWORKS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aprfl' 29, 1924. 1,492,317

c. w. WiLLETTE SETWORKS Filed Dec. 19, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 v lwuemtoz 01mm 5 W. Ila/a ar?" 33 MOT/H011 I April 29 C. W. WILLETTE SETWORKS Fil ed Dec. 19. 5 Sfie'ts -Sheet 4 Patented Apr. 29, 1924.

UNITED STA'TIEZS CHARLES W. WILLE'I'TE, 0F SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

SETWORKS.

Application filed December 19, 1921. Serial No. 528,511.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES W. WIL- LETTE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Seattle, county of King, State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Setworks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in saw mill set works and has for its principal object to provide a device of that character that will occupy a minimum amount of space, is complete and compactly arranged, simple in operation, and which consumes power only when actually working.

A further object of the invention resides in the construction of a saw mill set works wherein complicated parts are eliminated, lost motion, usually found in such machines, is overcome and absolute accuracy is insured.

Other objects of the invention reside in the details of construction of the setting dial, the forward and reverse driving clutches and their setting and releasing mechanisms, and in the automatically oper ating mechanism whereby the driving connection between the motor and set shaft is instantly released when a log has been set out a distance corresponding to a setting of the dial. In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is an end elevation of a set works constructed according to the present invention. 1 a

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same.

Figure 3 is a vertical section through the machine, taken substantially on the line 33 in Figure 1.

Figure 1 is a vertical-section, taken on the line 14: in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a horizontal section, taken on the line 5 5 in Figure 3, particularly illustrating the clutch mechanism.

Figure 6 isan illustration, showing the arrangement and right and left hand threading of the clutch setting sleeves.

Figure 7 is a detail, sectional view showing the setting dial, the clutch releasing and brake setting mechanism and the pinextendin from the dial which effects actuation of these parts.

Figure 8 is a sectional detail of the setting dial and associated parts.

Figure 9 is a longitudinal section of the control lever.

Figure 10 is an endview of a log carriage, showing the disposition thereon of a set works, embodied by the present invention.

Figure 11 is a plan view of the same, illustrating the connection of the set shaft with the setting knees on the carriage.

Figure 12 is a face view of one of the knees; showing the manner of its connection with the worm shaft. i Referring more in detail to the draw- 1ngs- 1 designates, as a whole, a set works constructed according to the present invention. This machine is mounted on a log carriage,

designated at 2 in Figures 10 and 11, in such position that the set shaft 3 thereof passes through bearings 4: provided therefor on the bed plate of the machine housing. The knees 5 of the carriage are slidably mounted for movement on guide beams 6, on which 9 the log, as designated at 7 in Figure 10, is supported, and are operated in the usual manner, by rotation of the set shaft. As illustrated in Figure 11, the set shaft is equipped with a bevel gear 8 that drives a bevel gear 9 fixed at the inner end of a screw shaft10 that is threaded through a depending portion 11 of the knee 5. see Figure 12, so that rotation of the set shaft will cause rotation of the worm shaft and the knee will be moved inwardly, or outwardly, according to the direction of rotation of the setshaft.

The mechanism embodied in the present construction is very compactly arranged within, and upon, a rectangular housing that is supported at its ends on blocks 12. These blocks, in turn, are fixed to the log carriage. Rotatably supported transversely within the housing, in parallel relation to the set shaft, and rotatable in suitable bearings 13 at their ends, are two shafts 14; and 15. The shaft 14 is equipped near one end with a large sprocket wheel 16, which. is in alinement with a sprocket wheel 17 see Figure 3, on the driving shaft 18 of an electric motor 19 supported upon the cover plate 20 at one end of the housing, and a sprocket chain 21, of the noiseless type, extends. about these sprocket wheels to drive the shaft 14:.

Gear wheels 23. and 24 of the same diam eter and meshing with each other, are keyed onto the shafts 14 and 15 respectively, so that the two shafts turn at the same rate but in opposite directions.

Rotatably mounted on the shafts 14 and 15 respectively, are sleeves 25 and 26. These sleeves have corresponding ends provided with gears 27 and 28 both of which mesh with a relatively large gear wheel 29 that is keyed to the set shaft- 3. At the opposite endsof the sleeves are double surfaced cone friction clutches 36 and 31 which are respectively adapted to be moved, by shifting their sleeves, into and from driving contact with clutch grooves 32 and 33 on the faces of the gear wheels 23 and 24, to thereby effect driving connections between the motor and the set shaft. Means is provided however, as is presently described, whereby the clutches are shifted in opposite directions so that but one can take effect at a time.

It is desired to call particular attention to the construction of the clutches since they have proven to be better for this purpose and more durable than any previously used; each has a double friction surface, and they operate within tapered annular grooves on the gears. The clutch supporting plates are keyed, or otherwise fixed, to the shifting sleeves and the latter are fitted with bushings throughout their lengths which prevents any possible wear thereon.

Rotatable on the sleeves 25 and 26 are collars 34 and 35. These are held against any possible longitudinal shifting relative to the sleeves between the clutch plate hubs and the gears 27 and 28, and are respectively provided exteriorly with right and left hand threads and 37, as shown best in Figure 6, which one-rate within similarly threadet bearings 38 and 39 supported by a rib 22, shown in Figure 5, that extends through the housing.

The collars i l-and respectively have bands 40 and 41 adjustably fixed thereon by set screws, adjacent the clutch hubs, which are provided with upwardly projecting, paired levers 42 and 43 joined at their outer ends by a connecting link 44, as shown in Figure 3. A. control shaft- 45 is rotatably supported within the housing at the left of the shaft 14, as shown in Figure 3, and this is equipped with atubular control lever presently described in detail, whereby it may be rocked. A rocker 47 is fixed on the shaft 45, and this has upwardly extending arms 48, Figures 7 and thereon which are connected by a. link 49 with the arms 42 of the band 40, so that actuation of the lever 46 in either direction will. simultaneously rotate bot-h clutch sleeves accordingly. I I

It is desired-that there be some flexibility provided in the link 49, and to accomplish this, I provide a two: part construction. com

prising opposite end portions 50 and 50, see Figure 7, pivotally fixed at their outer ends to the levers 42 and 43 respectively; the piece 50 has a threaded socket at its inner end wherein a coiled compression spring 51 is disposed. A sleeve 52 is threaded into the socket and this has a central opening through which a bolt 53, that is adjustably threaded into the member 50, is extended and which has a head 54 against which the spring 51 bears.

The lever 46 is not fixed rigidly to the shaft 45 but is threaded into a bore in a bifurcated casting 55 that is pivotally mounted on the shaft. A block 56 is adjustably fixed on the shaft between the side portions of the casting, see Figure 9, by means of set screws 57, and this has a socket 58 therein that is adapted to receive a tapered head 59 on the end of a plunger rod 60 that extends longitudinally through the lever. At the outer end of the rod 60, is a thumb cap 61 which extends slightly from the end of the lever and is slidable within a slightly enlarged portion thereof. A spring 62 is coiled about the rod to bear against the cap and this normally retains the head 59 disengaged from the block 56. When it is desired to throw the clutches, the head 59 is engaged with the block by pressure inv-Jardly on the cap 61 and the handle is thrown forwardly, or rearwardly, according to the direction it is desired to move the knees.

When the control lever is in normal position, the clutches are both disengaged from the gears, but should it be moved forwardly from the dotted line position, as shown in Figure 7, to that shown in full. lines, both clutch sleeves will be rotated in that direction, and due to the right and left hand threading of the collars 34 and 35 within the fixed bearings, the clutch sleeves will be shifted in opposite directions which will cause the clutch 30 to be moved to grip the gear 23, so that the gear 27 is thereby driven and thisin turn rotates the gear 29 and set shaft 3 which, as before mentioned, sets out the log. Likewise, if the control lever is moved outwardly as shown in dotted lines in Figure 3, the clutch 31 takes effect and this, by the gear connection provided, causes reverse turning of set shaft and retracts the knees 5. It will be noted that the gear wheel 28 is larger in diameter than gear 27 and thereby provides for rapid retraction of the knees.

The means which I have provided for setting out the log at any desired distance comprises a setting dial 65, see Figure 8, that is rotatably mounted on the hub portion 66 of a disk 67 concentric to the dial and keyed onto a dial shaft 68 that is supported horizontally for rotation in standards 69 and 70. The shaft 68 is con nected to be driven by means of a sprocket ion chain 71 that extends about sprocket wheels the top of the housing, equipped with an indicator, or pointer, 76 to which the dial may be adjusted to determine a setting.

Mounted slidably in the rim portion of f the dial 65, is a locking pin 77, Figure 8,

equipped at its outer end with a handle, or knob, 78 and at its inner end with a toothed ratchet head 79. A coiled spring 80 is located within a socket back of the head and engages the latter to urge it inwardly so that its teeth will be held in locking engagement with a ring of teeth 81, see Figure 7, that is arranged circularly on the inner face of the disk 67 and concentric to the shaft 68, so as to retain the dial at any set position relative to the set shaft.

On the inner face of the gear wheel 29, which is keyed to the set shaft 3, is a brake drum flange 83 and extended about the same is a brake band 84 that is fixed at its ends to the arms of a rocker 85 on a shaft 87 rotatably supported parallel with and below the shaft 45. A spring 88 is coiled about the shaft 87 and is fixed at one of its ends in a wall of the housing, see Figure 4, and at its opposite end to a collar 89 on the shaft, so that it is maintained under ten-' sion and normally tends to rotate the shaft so that the brake band is held taut about the drum.

Also fixed on the shaft 87 is a rocker 90 having two sets of arms 91 and 92 formed thereon to extend on the same side of the shaft. This rocker is fixed in alinement with the rocker 47 on the shaft 45, and the latter rocker has paired arms 93 and 94 formed thereon which extend respectively in a forward and rearward direction with respect to the shaft 45. The bars 95 and 96 are pivotally connected at their upper ends between the paired arms 93 and 94 of the rocker 47 and, at their lower ends, have suitable sliding connection with the arms 91 and 92 whereby rocking of the shaft 45 either forwardly or rearwardly from normal position will cause a rotation of the shaft 87 which will release the tension of the brake band 84.

Fixed on one end of the shaft 45 is a rocker 98, see Figures 4, 7 and 9, having paired arms 99 extending therefrom between whichis pivotally fixed the lower end of a latch bar 100 which extends upwardly through, an opening 101 in the cover plate and at its upper end is pivotally fixed to a latch plate 102. The latch plate extends horizontally and one end is equipped with a longitudinal slot 103 that is disposed beneath the rim 74 of the setting dial. The opposite end of the plate is weighted by an enlarged end 104 which acts to yieldingly retain the slotted end in engagement with the dial.

A small steel block 105 is inserted in the upper end of the bar 100 to form a shoulder, and this is adapted to be seated, when the deviceis set, upon the edge of a block 106 on the cover plate. The bar 100 is of such length that when the'block 105 is disposed upon the block 106, as shown in Figure 7, the:

shaft 45 will be held in such position that the brake will be released. I I

Fixed in the periphery of the dial is a pin 108 which is adapted, when the dial is rotated, to move into the slot of the latch plate so that the plate will be moved in such manner as to draw the bar 100 forwardly to dis place the block 105 from the supporting block 106 to permit the latch bar to drop downwardly. A pin 110 is slidably mounted in a block 111 east on the cover plate and this is engaged by a coiled spring 110 which retains the pin against the upper end of'the bar 100 to retain the latter yieldingly in set position. .A spring 112, see Figure 7, is also wound about the shaft 45 which has one end bearing against the bar 100 and its opposite end fixed in the rocker 98 so that it urges the bar into latched position when it is moved upwardly.

The handle 46 is always returned to nor mal position, when it is released, by means of a spring 115 that is fixed to a wall of the housing, see Figure 3, and which has inclined surfaces sloping toward a seat into which a roller 116, mounted on the lower side ofthe casting 55, moves under pressure of the spring against the same, to thereby re turn the handle aftera movement in either direction.

It is also desired, to make the'device complete, to mount a cylindrical log dial 120 on the dial shaft 68. This has a graduated spiral groove 121 therein along which a pointer 122, supported from a standard 123, moves to indicate the distance of the knees from the saw.

Assuming that the parts of the device are so constructed and assembled as described, operationof the same would be as follows:

The motor is so connected to the mechanism that the dial shaft and dial, when driven, will rotate in the direction of the arrow thereon in Figure 2.

With the clutches and other parts set in neutral position, as they are illustrated in Figures 3 and 5, we will assume that the Sawyer wishes to set out the log a distance of four inches. [Hefirst grips the knob 78 of theset pin 77, draws it out and rotates the dial until the pointer 7 6 registers with rod 60, see Figure 9, looks with the block 56, and then moves the lever forwardly to.

the vertical position in which it is shown in Figure 7. When this is done, the shaft t5 is rotated in such manner that the latch bar 100 is raised sufiiciently that the block 105 is seated upon the block 106, as. shown in Figure 7, to hold the parts in set position. Rotationof shaft 45 also causes the push rod 95 to effect rotation of the shaftl87 to release the brake band, and at the same time the clutch sleeves 25 and 26, by the connection described, are rotated so that the clutch 3O grips the gear wheel 28 to effect a driving connection, through gears 27 and 29, with the set shaft, which sets out the log. As the set shaft 3 starts rotating, the dial shaft 68 also is set in motion by the sprocket chain connection and, as the dial continues to rotate, the pin 108 therein is brought finally, after the knees have been set out exactly four inches, to engage the end of slot 103 and cause the latch plate to be moved to release the latch bar 100 from the block 106 so that the spring 88 may then cause the shaft 45 to rotate and in doing this, the clutches are moved back to normal position, thereby disconnecting the driving connection with the set shaft. At the same time, the brake is set and movement of the set shaft stops instantly so that an accurate setting is positively insured. Likewise the knees may be set out any other desired distance, by ad ustmentof the dial to the proper reading.

The present dial rotates once for each twelve inches of movement of the knees, and therefore, if it is desired to set out a log, more than twelve inches, say for example, fifteen. inches, the dial is adjusted so that the pointer registers with the three inch mark. Then, as the dial is set in motion, the latch plate 102 is held so that it will not be engaged by, the pin 108 on the first revolution of the disk but will be actuated when the dial has moved three inches on its second revolution. Other settings above twelve inches may likewise be accomplished.

To retract the knees, the lever 16 is drawn rearwardly; this causes clutch 31 to take hold of gear wheel 24 and through gears 28 and 29, to drive the set shaft in a reverse direction.

It is apparent that a set works so constructed, can readily be placed on any make of screw block carriage; it will require very little space, is entirely self contained and by use of the double cone friction clutches, of a special composition, slippage and consequent wear is absolutely eliminated.

It is further apparent that, since the dial shaft is driven directly from the set shaft, all lost motion is avoided.

A notatable feature of the machine is its simplicity in construction and in operation, and its accuracy.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. The combination with a set shaft, of a set works comprising a pair of rotatably supported shafts, means for driving one of the said shafts, gears keyed on'the shafts in meshing relation and provided with clutches thereon, sleeves slidable on the shafts having driving connection with the set shaft and having cone clutches thereon movable upon shifting of the sleeves into and from driving engagement with the said clutches, an adjustable setting dial rotatably driven from the set shaft, a clutch setting mechanism, a latch for retaining the parts in set position, means on the dial rotatable therewith into engagement with the latch mechanism to effect its release and means under tension for moving the clutches to neutral position upon being released by the said latch.

2. The combination with a set shaft having a driving gear thereon, of a set works comprising a pair of rotatably supported shafts, a motor operatively connected to drive one of the shafts, gear wheels keyed on the shafts meshing with each other whereby one shaft rotates oppositely to the others; said gears havingclutches thereon, sleeves slidable on the shafts each having a gear at one end meshing with the set shaft gear and a clutch cone at its opposite end movable with the sleeve into and from driving engagement with its respective clutch, means under tension for normally retaining the clutches in neutral positioma lever for setting the clutches in driving position, a latch mechanism for retaining the forward driving clutch in set position, an adjustable setting dial connected for rotation by the set shaft, and means on the setting dial rotatable therewith into engagement with the latch mechanism to effect its release to per mit the return of the clutch to neutral position.

3. The combination with a set shaft, of a set works comprising a pair of rotatably supported shafts, means for driving one of the shafts, gears keyed on the shafts in meshing relation and provided with clutches thereon, sleeves slidable. on the shafts having driving connection with the set shaft, and having cone clutches thereon movable upon shifting of the sleeves into and from driving engagement with thesaid clutches, collars fixed for rotation on thesleeves and equipped respectively with right and left hand threads threaded within fixed. bearings,

levers fixed to the collars, means connecting said levers whereby they may be simultaneously rotated to effect shifting of the sleeves in opposite directions into and from driving relation with the clutches, a clutch setting mechanism connected with the shifting lever, a latch mechanism for normally retaining the parts in set position, means under tension for returning them to neutral position when released, latch mechanism for retaining the parts in set position, an adjustable setting dial rotatably driven from the set shaft, means on the dial rotatable therewith into engagement with the latch mechanism to efi'ect its release.

4. In a set works of the class described, the combination with a set shaft having driving gear, of a pair of rotatably supported shafts, a motor for driving one of said shafts, gear wheels fixed on the shafts and meshing with each other, sleeves slidably mounted on the shafts, gear wheels fixed at the ends of the sleeves and meshing with the set shaft gear, clutch cones fixed at the opposite ends of the sleeves movable therewith into and from driving engagement with the clutches, collars fixed rotatably on the shafts having oppositely threaded mounting within fixed bearings, rockers fixed to the sleeve collars, means connecting the rockers whereby they may be simultaneously rotated, a setting lever having operative connection with the collars whereby movement of the lever in opposite directions from neutral position will effect opposite shifting of the clutches to obtain forward or reverse driving of the set shaft.

5. In a machine of the class described, the

combination with a set shaft having a driving gear, f a pair of rotatably supported shafts, means for driving one of the shafts, gear wheels fixed to the shafts in meshing relation each having a clutch thereon, sleeves slidably mounted on the shafts, gear wheels formed at the ends of said sleeves meshing with the set shaft gear, cone clutches fixed at the opposite ends of the sleeves movable therewith into and from driving connection with the gear clutches, means for normally maintaining the clutches in neutral position, a setting lever movable in opposite directions to effect the opposite shifting of the clutch sleeves into and from driving position, to effect forward or reverse driving of the set shaft.

6. The combination with a set works housing and a set shaft having a driving gear equipped with brake band of a pair of shafts rotatably mounted in the housing, a motor mounted on the housing having driving connection with one of said shafts, gear wheels fixed on the shafts in meshing relation. clutches formed on said gears, sleeves slidable on the shafts, gears at the ends of said sleeves, meshing with the set shaft gear, clutch cones on the opposite ends of the sleeves movable therewith into and from driving contact with the clutches, collars fixed rotatably on the sleeves and having oppositely threaded mounting in fixed bearings, rockers fixed on the said collars, a link connecting said rockers whereby the collars may be simultaneously rotated, a rock shaft mounted on the housing, a rocker fixed on the rock shaft, a brake band at-,

tached to the drum and connected with said rocker, a rocker on the shaft connected to actuate the clutch sleeves, a spring under tension connected with the rock shaft to maintain the clutches in neutral position and the brake in set position and a lever for actuating the rock shaft.

7. The combination with a set shaft, or a set works comprising a pair of rotatably supported shafts, means for driving one of the shafts, gears keyed on the shafts in meshing relation and provided with clutches, sleeves slidable on the shafts having driving connection with the set shaft and having cone clutches thereon movable upon shifting of the sleeve into and from driving engagement with the said clutches, an adjustable setting dial rotatablv driven from the set shaft, a clutch setting lever operably connected to actuate the sleeves, a latch bar connected with the setting mechanism having a shoulder engageable with the fixed block to maintain the parts in set po-' sition, a plate pivotally connected with the latch bar having a slot therein, a pin fixed in the setting dial adapted upon rotation of the latter to engage within the slot of the latch plate to effect the unseating of the latch bar shoulder, and a spring maintained under tension in connection with the setting mechanism whereby the parts are returned to normal position upon release of the latch bar.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a rock shaft operable to effect the setting of forward or reverse driving clutches and means under tension connected with the rock shaft for maintaining the clutches in neutral position, of a rocker fixed to the rock shaft, a latch bar, having a shoulder, fixed to the rocker and movable thereby when the rock shaft is actuated to set the clutches to seat the shoulder upon a fixed block to maintain the parts in set position, a setting dial rotatably driven from the set shaft, a pin extending from the setting dial, a latch plate pivotally fixed to the latch bar having a slot in one end and a weight at its opposite end whereby the plate is retained against the dial in position to receive thepin therein as the dial rotates.

Signed at Seattle, Washington, this 10th day of December 1921.

CHARLES W. WILLETTE. 

